Kyneton Cup Day tips 2026: Mitch Lewis' best bets

The Country Collect heads to Kyneton on Wednesday for one of the great traditions of country racing, the Kyneton Cup.

Located in the picturesque Macedon Ranges, around an hour north of Melbourne, Kyneton has been hosting thoroughbred racing since 1853, with the first Kyneton Cup run in 1873.

Traditionally staged the day after the Melbourne Cup, the meeting is a highlight of the local calendar, with the town enjoying a public holiday and thousands flocking to one of Victoria’s prettiest racecourses.

With its magnificent old elm trees and country atmosphere, Kyneton is a terrific place to spend a spring afternoon.

Mitch Lewis has done the form for the latest edition of Country Collect, looking to unearth a few winners on Kyneton Cup Day.

Race 4

(1) Bacash ran a close 2nd at Morphettville in his last start but looks to get a good set up here to go one better. He has form on wet tracks so will appreciate the expected conditions and he can push forwards and with extra fitness on rivals could prove tough to run down.

(3) Job Done is resuming, he is undefeated in two previous 1st up runs through his career so is capable of firing fresh in a prep. He looks well suited kicking off down in grade but has a tricky race map.

(5) Enna’s Dream is another resuming runner, she is perhaps a runner likely to improve over further and fitter deeper into the prep but the wet track looks likely to suit her and give her an advantage.

(7) White Hot Mama looks likely to be one of the other runners in this race who can settle on speed and if the race is run at a moderate tempo she will be in a strong position in run.

Suggested bet: Bacash – Win

Race 5

(2) Lady Sadler is 1st up today, she comes into this off 3 solid trials and has consistent form when 1st up into a prep so is capable of a strong performance fresh, she maps well and should have no issue on a wet track.

(1) Mystic Reign kicks off a new prep down in grade from where she finished last time in work. She has won 1st up previously so can fire fresh but the only query will be the wet track.

(6) Divine Express has a race fitness advantage on rivals here now 3rd up into the prep. She ran well in similar conditions last start so should have no issues with this set up.

(3) Tapo ran well in a stronger race last start and drops back down in grade again, has the potential to lead which may suit and has form on wet ground.

Suggested bet: Lady Sadler - Win

Kyneton Cup - Race 8

(2) Prince Eric has been midfield in recent runs but ran well in a Group 3 last start only finishing 1.5L from the winners. He should find this easier and gets conditions that look likely to suit, with speed out wide he can take a sit midfield and get a soft run.

(1) The Pendragon won The Horsham Cup in good fashion in his last start and the form out of that race has looked good since, with some of the early speed coming out of this race he can land in a strong position in run and take catching.

(4) Sun Gift ran well last start and drops back down in grade for this. She looks likely better suited in this race at the weights and with a lower barrier so can threaten in these conditions.

(6) Bring Forth was moderate when resuming but is a runner who generally improves with a run under his belt and is 2nd up today, he has the scope to improve and will be suited up in trip.

Suggested bet: Prince Eric - Win